Awfully sorry for my mis-typing, the dummy actually holds 6-card Diamonds. W----N----E----S -----1D---/----1S /----2D---/----2H /----3D---/----3NT // Lead = C2 (4th) 2H: Game Forcing, not promising H S: A9 H: Q10 D: QJ8743 C: QJ6 S: KJ1052 H: A52 D: A10 C: 1083 Case 0: Diamond splits (23) The opponents duck the first trick to preserve their Club communication. The Club distribution is either 4-3 or 3-4. Thus, we can afford losing 3C+1D to make this contract, aiming for SAK + HA + 5D + CQ = 9 tricks. Please notice that the only reliable entry to the dummy is SA, and we have to play DA and then D10, which will be covered by DQ, so that we can secure the contract when Diamond splits 2-3 or 3-2. However, we do not hold D9, so if either opponent holds DK9xx, complications may arise. Case 1: E holds DK9xx If E holds K9xx, then W is supposed to be 4-4-1-4 or something similar. If we play low Diamond when W discards, E will force to duck the second round of Diamond. Our revised plan would then be to aim for: 5S + HA + 2D + CQ. If West holds at least as many Spades as East, shall we hope him to hold 3-5-1-4 with SQxx? - Unlikely, because he may lead the H and also finesse with S9 will fail when W holds SQxxx. Wait! We might hope for an additional Spade entry to dummy, allowing us to safely establish the Diamonds. Case 2: W holds DK9xx If W holds K9xx, then W is supposed to be 2-3-4-4 or similar (E holds no less Spade than the W). Please notice that E passed 1D, rather than bidding 1H or 2H. We can now pitch a Club out! W dare not to cash the DK after cashing 4th Club trick (otherwise D will be ready). He will have to give you a free finesse on Spade or pitch a Heart (smarter choice). Suppose he chooses to play a Heart out. We can then count the high card points to make our final decision on Spade (whether hoping W 3-2-4-4 without SQ or 2-3-4-4 with SQ) by deliberately losing the Heart trick to E. S: A9 H: Q10 D: QJ8743 S: Q7 C: QJ6 S: 8643 H: 743 H: KJ864 D: K965 D: 2 C: A952 S: KJ1052 C: K74 H: A52 D: A10 C: 1083 The best defense should be win with CK and then play C7 to the CA, hoping W would shift to Hearts. Tianxiang Fu (Jacky) Vice President (2024-2025)